Meet Your Instructor

Andrew Gibson Program Director/Instructor Furniture maker and Luthier, Andrew Gibson has been woodworking since the age of 9. After graduating with a degree In History, Andrew has worked in most areas of woodworking. Read More

Essential Handtool & Joinery Skills

Handtool work and joinery are vital skills for all woodworkers. There is nothing more valuable than being able to select and cut joints with skill and ease.

This class taught by Andrew Gibson will increase your joinery skills regardless of your starting point. You will learn how to select joints, how to lay them out, how to cut them accurately using a variety of hand tool, and machine-based methods. It is an incredible class, no matter your skill level and will build your confidence and impact the quality of your woodworking for years to come. (Please make sure you take a look at the tools list and that you bring these with you when you come). Along with learning about and making a wide variety of joints, you will improve your layout skills, radically improve your measuring and accuracy, and gain a better understanding of joint selection and wood behavior.

If you are not confident in your hand skills and joinery, this is a perfect class. At the end of the week, what once seemed difficult will be approached with confidence.

In this five day class, you’ll learn and practice joint making techniques that will include:

• Sharpening your chisels and hand planes
• Hand planing your lumber
• Selection & layout of joints with a wide variety of measuring & marking tools
• Hand cutting Lap Joints
• Mortise and tenons
• Dovetails 
• Approaches to Cabinet, Frame, Table, and Chair Joinery
• How to recover from joinery mistakes

This is a technique and skill-based class. You will focus on making joinery samples that you will be able to take home and use as a reference in your home workshop.

Tools Needed:    CLICK HERE FOR Joinery Tool List  All tools are optional, the School has equipment for each student.

Materials & Books Needed:

Books – The Joint Book by Terrie Noll. (optional, it’s just a good book)

Materials Needed: NONE